Partial human skull found 08-23-06

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating whether a partial skull is part of the remains of a Puna woman reported missing in May.

A Fern Forest resident reported on July 26, 2006, that his dog returned home with a human skull.

It was found close to the home of 74-year-old Elizabeth Christensen, who was reported missing on May 15, 2006.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section searched the area with the assistance of the department’s scent-tracking dog but were unable to locate the rest of the remains.

Suspecting that the partial skull might be part of Christensen’s remains, it is being sent to a mainland laboratory for DNA comparison along with samples obtained from one of Christensen’s relatives. Results of the analysis may not be known for several months.

The condition of the partial skull did not lend itself to dental comparison analysis.